Managing Attorney

Job Description:

Overview

The NYC Managing Attorney is responsible for overseeing the firm’s NYC-based Managing Clerk’s Office staff and providing expertise on the procedural aspects of matters handled by the firm’s litigators, with particular focus on New York state and federal practice.  The NYC Managing Attorney reports directly to the Head of the Managing Clerks Office.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Advises litigation attorneys and other professionals, at both the department and practice group level, on New York federal, state, and local civil practice. Monitors rules and procedures and stays informed of changes that affect the firm’s litigators.
2. Manages and maintains the firm’s litigation docketing and calendar controls. Updates and maintains software applications for the firm’s docketing and calendaring needs. Leads efforts to improve and upgrade automated docketing and calendaring functions.
3. Manages and coordinates the filing, service, retrieval, and monitoring function for the firm’s cases, including the e-filing process.
4. Researches procedural questions using all available sources, including case law, practice books, and online legal research tools.
5. Establishes connections and maintains a good working relationship with clerks and judicial employees in the New York court systems to discuss filings and court procedures.
6. Reviews legal documents, providing feedback on both substantive and procedural issues, drafts and submits routine legal documents.
7. Assists with the training and supervision of the Litigation Clerks and Assistant Managing Clerk(s) on all aspects of service, filing, monitoring, retrieval, rules and procedure, docketing and calendaring functions in all relevant courts and venues.
8. Assists with workflow and staffing management of the Managing Clerk’s Office. Participates in hiring and evaluations of New York-based staff.
9. Contributes to firm knowledge management-related initiatives as they pertain to litigation case files, docketing, records management, sample pleadings database, and other similar areas of function within the litigation department.
10. Assists litigators and other firm departments with obtaining documents for foreign filings, effectuating service, and performing office or attorney registrations.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:

• Serves as resident expert in the New York office on federal and state court rules and procedures, superior knowledge of New York CPLR a must.
• Able to research and explain court rules, procedures, in all courts in which the firm practices, with a particular focus on New York practice.
• Proficient at searching and extracting information from court-related databases, websites, and all relevant docketing and calendaring applications including, but not limited to, CM/ECF, PACER, Odyssey, CourtAlert, CalendarRules, Bloomberg, Lexis and Westlaw.
• Able to adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced firm environment to support department goals.
• Able to be proactive and anticipate problems before they develop and exercise sound judgment in working towards resolutions.
• Able to remain flexible in responding quickly and positively to shifting demands under tight deadlines.
• Able to work in a culturally and educationally diverse workplace and to be proficient at relaying salient information in a multi-office environment.
• Able to work well individually and to keep others apprised of status on work and projects.
• Able to work well as a team player and contribute meaningfully to litigation department projects. Is capable of sharing information, goals, opportunities, success, and failures with appropriate parties.
• Able to balance multiple detailed tasks at once and follow up and follow through on the delivery of results.
• Possesses excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exhibits a high level of customer service and collaborates well with attorneys, paralegals and support staff with a responsive, professional, pleasant and cooperative attitude throughout.
• Performs billable work on litigation cases and approaches this work as priority work each day/week/month.
• Owns professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills.
• Takes ownership of deliverables and is accountable to internal stakeholders.

Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

A law degree and a minimum of 10 years’ experience as a Managing Clerk/Managing Attorney in a New York law firm environment.  Prior court clerk experience, or experience as a litigator in the New York state or federal courts is a big plus.  Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of litigation issues, rules, and procedure.  Strong leadership and mentoring abilities to guide junior staff in reaching goals.  Currently admitted to practice in New York State.